Window screen latch



I, s. WELLS WINDOW SCREEN LATCH Filed July 2, 1941 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Sept. 29, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WINDOW SCREEN LATCH Isaac Sidney Wells, Laurel, Miss.

Application July 2, 1941, Serial No. 400,830

2 Claims.

This invention relates to latches, and particularly to latches designed for use in connection with swinging closures, such as window screens, window sashes and doors.

An important object of the invention is to provide a latch of this character which will not only securely hold the closures with which it is used, closed, but will act to draw the closures into their frames, should the screens or closures to which the latch is secured, become warped.

Another object of the invention is to provide a latch which may be readily and easily mounted on a swinging screen or swinging closure, eliminating the necessity of making alterations in the closure structure or its frame, to mount the latch.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a latch constructed in accordance with the invention and illustrating the latch as secured to a screen.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof, a portion of the latch bracket being broken way to illustrate the latch as mounted therein.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fi 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the sliding latch member.

Figure 6 is a view of the blank from which the latch bracket is formed.

Referring to the drawing in detail the latch bracket, which is indicated generally by the reference character 5 is constructed of a length of sheet metal material, cut to provide extensions 6 at its ends, and adjacent to one edge thereof.

The main portions of the bracket, i bent inwardly along the lines 1, and rearwardly along the line 8, providing a narrow guideway, Of a width to accommodate the laterally extended flange 9 of the sliding latch H). In forming the latch bracket the extensions 5 ar bent laterally over the ends of the guideway formed by bending the main portion of the bracket, thereby closing the ends of the guideway to confine the flange 9 of the latch member, to the guideway, and prevent the latch member from becoming disconnected from its bracket.

The flange 9 is of a length appreciably less than the length of the main portion of th latch, so that the upper and lower ends of the main portion of the latch, extend beyond the ends of the flange 9. The edge of the main portion of the latch, adjacent to the flange 9 is inclined towards the free edge of the latch, providing a cam surface.

The extremity of the opposite end of th latch I0, is bent laterally toward the flange 9, providing a finger piece H adapted to be gripped by the person operating the latch, to move the latch to its active or inactive position.

It will of course be understood that when positioning the bracket or the latch, the bracket is secured to the screen frame, and a keeper screw indicated at I2 is secured to the main frame, in which the screen frame moves. On positioning the keeper screw I2, the keeper screw is raised so that it will lie in the path of travel of the latch, when the latch is moved downwardly. As shown by Fig. 2 of the drawing, the cam surface of the latch will engage the keeper screw l2 and as the latch is forced downwardly, the cam surface of the latch acts to draw the window screen or closure with which the latch is connected, inwardly towards its frame, securely latching the screen or closure against opening from the exterior.

In order to release the latch member, it is only necessary to exert an upward pressure on the finger piece ll, whereupon the cam surface of the latch member, moves away from the keeper screw, allowing free swinging movement of the screen or closure.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A winging closure fastener, comprising an elongated body portion adapted to be secured to a closure and including spaced outer and inner sections providing a guideway therebetween, said 1 guideway being closed at its ends, a flange formed along the edge of said inner section and spaced from the adjacent longitudinal edge of the outer section, a sliding latch member having'a rightangled portion fitted within the guideway, said latch member also extending between the flange and edge of the outer section, whereby the latch member is held within the guideway, and said latch member adapted to move into engagement with a keeper secured to the closure frame.

2. A swinging closure fastener, comprising a body portionembodying a length of sheet metal material, bent upon itself providing an outer section and inner section spaced apart forming a passageway therebetween, the inner section being wider than the outer section, the free edge of the inner section being extended at right angles, providing a flange spaced from one edge of the outer section, a latch member including a length of sheet metal fitted within the passageway and adapted to slide longitudinally thereof, said latch member being normally held against movement by frictional contact with the outer and inner sections of the body portion, and said latch member adapted to move over a keeper.

ISAAC SIDNEY WELLS. 

